Live Coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 22

Finals in Eels' sights after win over Rabbitohs

Patrick Staveley

Game summary

The Parramatta Eels have edged closer to a finals berth in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup with a commanding 32-10 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

It’s the second time the Eels have beaten the Rabbitohs this year, although this performance was certainly more convincing than their two-point victory back in Round 16.

Parramatta singled out South Sydney's weakness early on, continuing to pepper their left edge defence with Sean Russell bagging a hat-trick after 62 minutes.

Russell scored his first with a miraculous effort in the corner, cancelling out Rabbitohs winger Tyson Hodge’s opening try in the seventh minute.

Interchange forward Tevita Taumoepenu helped the Eels to six-point lead before Russell produced his second, pushing the score-line to 16-6 just before halftime.

The Eels continued their right edge onslaught in the second half when Zac Cini shrugged off some feeble defence to score.

A Josh Mansour try gave the Rabbitohs some hope of a comeback, but Russell’s third soon after helped the Eels kick away from the visitors.

Mitch Rein's plunge over the try line from dummy-half in the final minutes added an exclamation mark to the impressive victory by Parramatta.

Talking points

South Sydney appeared to miss the experience of Dean Hawkins - a late inclusion in the Rabbitohs' NRL side - to keep his side in the contest against a strong Eels outfit.

A unfortunate injury to Souths’ Cody Hodge after a strong tackle from Wiremu Greig forced the winger off the field in a neck brace and on the medicab. 

The Eels have taken a huge step in locking down a top five spot after the win against the Rabbitohs, who came into contest only one win behind the hosts with a bye in hand.

Key moment

The third Sean Russell try to extend the margin beyond 12 points really took the wind out of Souths’ sails, who didn't pose a significant threat to Parramatta's lead in the second half. 

What's next?

Both sides have important games next week ahead against top four opposition at home, as South Sydney take on the Penrith Panthers while the Eels face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 

Penrith Panthers v Mounties

Panthers secure second spot with big win over Mounties

Stewart Moses

Game summary

The Penrith Panthers have come back from an early deficit to secure a top two spot and a shot at the minor premiership with two rounds remaining after a convincing 42-10 result over Mounties at BlueBet Stadium this afternoon.

Penrith, despite replacing Charlie Staines (NRL) with Robert Jennings in a backline reshuffle, were also bolstered by the late inclusion of back-rower Chris Smith. Smith was given the go-ahead to play despite the leg injury suffered by NRL back-rower Liam Martin two days earlier.

Mounties played their hand from the opening surprise short kick-off and were soon rewarded for their adventurous play. They took advantage of Jarrett Subloo’s 40/20 kick to score first through winger Tuipulotu Katoa, who crossed over in the north-west corner courtesy of a quick shift left and some good leadup work from back-rower Dane Aukafolau to lead 4-0 after 10 minutes.

It took the Panthers some time for their attack to click but once it did over the second 20 minutes of the opening half, they were in devastating form scoring 24 unanswered points.

Penrith’s opening try came midway through the first half with hooker Soni Luke providing a short ball to lock-forward J’Maine Hopgood to crash over next to the posts from short range.

Hopgood soon had his second when he reached out with determination to score next to the posts to put Penrith ahead 12-4.

Mounties’ persistence with the short kick-off eventually backfired as the Panthers, on the back of good field position, put their third try on the board with Luke once again the provider. This time it was off the boot for Susino to chase through to score as the home side took a commanding 18-4 lead after 32 minutes.

Penrith’s opening half onslaught was complete when half Kurt Falls’ cross-field kick was fielded on the fly by Thomas Jenkins to score untouched, enabling the home side to lead by 20 at half-time.

Penrith’s point-scoring spree continued three minutes into the second half with Falls and five-eighth Jack Cole combining to put Jennings over out wide to extend the Panthers’ lead to 30-4.

Mounties fullback Dylan Smith was sent to the sinbin in the 47^th minute. Penrith were finally able to take advantage of their extra player on the field when Luke earned his third try-assist for the afternoon. Luke’s deft grubber kick was pounced upon by fullback Isaiah Longi who scored out wide and Falls continued his perfect day with the boot to lead by 32 with 24 minutes remaining.

Penrith had 42 unanswered points on the board when Jenkins crossed over for his second for Mounties out wide in the 65th minute. Three minutes later Mounties scored again when five-eighth Brad Abbey backed up a Dean Matterson to streak away untouched to score behind the posts.

The win confirms Penrith will finish the regular season in no worse than second position as they continue to apply pressure on current ladder leaders, Newtown, while the loss ensures Mounties remain in tenth position.

Talking points

Thomas Jenkins’ double saw the Panthers’ centre leapfrog Bears outside back Thomas Carr and join Rabbitohs winger Izaac Thompson at the top of the NSW Cup try-scorers list (20).

Soni Luke had an impressive output with three try assists and a line-break assist. It keeps him atop the line-break assist leader-board with 20, and second in the competition for try assists with 19.

Mounties winger Tuipulotu Katoa faces a nervous wait from the Match Review Committee after being placed on report for a high tackle on Robert Jennings early in the first half, as does backrower Haimona Hiroti, who was replaced on report late in the second half for an incident involving Panthers forward, Alec Susino.

Mounties fullback Dylan Smith was sent to the sinbin in the 47th minute for a professional foul having put to a halt to Panthers winger Daeon Amituanai’s line-break on halfway. The damage was minimal as Mounties showed some serious defensive grit on their own line before eventually conceded a try from a kick.

Key moment

Kurt Falls had a quieter game by his lofty standards but came up with a magical cross-field kick on the stroke of halftime for Thomas Jenkins to score the first of his two tries, taking Penrith’s lead to 24-4 and well out of Mounties’ reach.

What’s next?

The Panthers play their last game of the regular season in Thursday night’s away trip to Accor Stadium against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, while Mounties travel to Collegians Sporting Complex on Sunday to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles

Wakeham stars as Bulldogs defeat the Sea Eagles

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs secured a dominant 38-12 victory over Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Belmore Sports Ground.

Bulldogs drew first blood through Matt Doorey, who burst through a gaping hole in the Sea Eagles’ defence to score untouched.

The hosts doubled their lead shortly after through Ava Seumanufagai, before Jayden Okunbor leaped above his opposing winger to collect a Brandon Wakeham bomb and touch down over the line.

Kurtis Morrin finished off the first half diving over to take his side into the break, 22 points to nil.

Bulldogs continued their dominance to start the second half, with Declan Casey moving to fullback and finishing a set play on the right edge, shrugging off the Sea Eagles fullback to score near the corner.

The Dogs’ sixth try came after Ryan Gray pounced on a loose ball and exploded through the opposition line, before offloading to Jackson Topine to score his fourth try of the season.

An out on the full from the restart gave the hosts another opportunity to add to their tally, and they did just that through a pass from Wakeham, which found Creedence Toia in the corner.

With less than a quarter of the game remaining, Sea Eagles were able to get on the scoresheet, through prop Bruce Ward who crashed over the line to touch down between the posts.

Sea Eagles scored the last points of the match, through a brilliant solo effort from fullback Jake Toby, who grubbered near the line before regathering and planting the ball down. The try was merely a consolation as the Bulldogs dominated the Sea Eagles 38-12 at Belmore Sports Ground. 

Talking Points

• Bulldogs proved clinical in attack, while remaining solid in defence for the majority of the game, with Brandon Wakeham steering the ship and playing a crucial role in the hosts’ victory.
• The returning NRL stars proved crucial for Canterbury as their experience and leadership carried their side throughout the 80 minutes.
• The last placed Sea Eagles have plenty to work on, as they look to secure a victory for their remaining 2 games of the season.

Key Moment

With Sea Eagles needing to score points, Declan Casey’s try in the 47th minute proved critical, as the Bulldogs were able to extend their lead beyond any comeback.

What’s Next?

Bulldogs travel to Parramatta to face the 4th placed Eels in what will be a thrilling top-four clash, while the Sea Eagles host the Newtown Jets at 4 Pines Park.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Canberra Raiders

Raiders hang on in a heart stopper

Jason Hosken

Game Summary

Canberra Raiders have kept their finals hopes alive with a come from behind 26-22 victory over a gutsy Western Suburbs Magpies in Round 22 at Leichhardt Oval.

Entering the contest desperate to break a four match losing streak, the seventh placed Raiders couldn’t have got off to a worse start.

Junior Tupoa grounded a fumbled Canberra bomb to open the scoring after just three minutes. He had a double 10-minutes later, this time showing a clean pair of heels to put the Magpies in command 12-0.

Ata Mariota opened the Green Machine’s account in the 24th minute, the back-rower proving too strong from close range, and with Schneider’s conversion the Raiders were back with a converted try.

Possession minutes before the break was all Canberra needed, and they went to the sheds trailing 12-10 after centre Mitchell Spencer finished a simple shift in the left corner.

The second half started much like the first ended, and with repeat sets Spencer once again found a way through the Magpies’ right edge to put Canberra in front for the first time in the match.

Trailing 14-12, Wests were treading water in their own half until forward Jack Boyling found the back field and centre Triston Reilly raced away to put his side back in front 18-14.

The lead was short lived after a fumbled restart gifted Canberra the ball, regaining the lead when Manase Kaho burrowed over from dummy-half. A Peter Hola try seven minutes from the end looked to be enough for a 26-18 Raiders victory.

Talking points

Canberras win leaves them three points shy of fifth spot on the ladder with two rounds of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup remaining. 

In what has been a difficult season for the 11th placed Magpies, they showed plenty of spirit on their own goal line for extended periods of the match. In the end, only a rough bounce of the ball cost them a victory.

Key moment

Leading by eight points with minutes to play, the Raiders simply logged off. Wests ignored the opportunity to convert Camroux’s late try. And with barely enough time for a restart, Reilly quickly found himself in the clear along the grandstand touch line. Leading the race to his perfectly weighted chip kick, he looked home until the ball popped up just out of reach.

What’s next?

Next Sunday the Magpies head to North Sydney Oval to take on the Bears while the Raiders are back on the road in another must win clash against the Newcastle Knights.

North Sydney Bears v Newcastle Knights

Bears thrash the Knights to win their second straight game at home

Pranav Harish

Game Summary

The Bears have put the competition on notice with just two rounds left until finals football after thrashing the Knights 60-4 in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

The result helped North Sydney to consecutive wins at home whilst Newcastle suffered their third straight loss.

It was a sensational afternoon for Oliver Gildart who scored five tries on debut for the Bears after the Wests Tigers centre joined the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of the NRL season.

The Bears started their attacking sets strongly in the opening exchanges but both sides played set-for-set early as the forwards worked to establish field position.

The defence of both teams held up well to sustain attacking raids by either side but Gildart broke the deadlock in the 10th minute.

The Englishman crossed over after the Bears capitalised on a penalty for offside against the Knights to work the ball down the southern touchline and set up their new recruit for his maiden four-pointer in Bears colors.  

Gildart bagged his second try a few minutes later with a similar play set up down the left edge of the Knights’ defense. This time he strolled over untouched.

The Knights turned over possession cheaply as unforced errors started to mount thanks to poor ball handling efforts which stifled their attacking efforts.

Adam Keighran nailed both of his attempts at goal to put the Bears in front 12-0 as the signs looked ominous for Newcastle.

Forward Fletcher Baker barged his way to score in front of the posts with the Bears’ third try coming off the back of brilliant lead-up work by Jacob Preston.

The backrower breezed through the Knights’ defensive line before linking up with five-eighth Drew Hutchinson in the ensuing play to set up Baker’s try.

The Knights were overwhelmed with the weight of possession against them as North Sydney stretched the lead to 18.

Keighran wasn’t content with just the kicking duties, scoring a long-range try by racing 70m after diffusing a kick by Knights halfback Floyd Tighe.

Keighran fended off Nicholas O’Meley who chased valiantly but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball being planted down for another four-pointer.

The Bears went on with their try-scoring spree as Gildart bagged his third try once again near the southern touchline to put the Bears in a commanding position at half-time, leading 28-0.

The Bears heaped more misery on their opponents when Josh Bergamin scored under the posts just over four minutes into the second half after backing up on the inside off a line-break by Hutchinson.

North Sydney piled on 40-unanswered points when Baker crossed over for his second try just four minutes later after the Bears capitalised on a fresh attacking set inside the Knights’ 20m line.

The visitors did well to bag a consolation try when Nicholas O’Meley scored almost 20 minutes in to the second half, but the Bears weren’t done yet.

Gildart crossed over for his fourth try while a try to Bergamin helped rack up 50 points for the home side.

Bergamin’s second try was set up by a slick line-break by hooker Ben Marshke. Forward Regan Hughes joined the try-fest as he crossed over less than five minutes from full-time but it was Gildart who put the finishing touches on a dominant display scoring his fifth try.

Talking Points

Gildart’s impressive performance would not have gone unnoticed by Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

With the Roosters gearing up for the finals Gildart will be a handy option to bolster their outside back stocks that already features plenty of superstars.

Kevin Naiqama made his comeback into the Bears starting side after his last hit-out coming against the Jets in round 19.

Key Moment

The try to Keighran effectively sealed the win for the Bears. With North Sydney leading by 18 points, Newcastle could have mounted a comeback by not conceding more points, but Keighran’s try erased any hope of the Knights getting themselves back into the contest.

What’s next

The Bears will face the Magpies next week while the Knights will be back at home after two weeks on the road to take on the Raiders in their round 23 clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.